In this six week video study, Adam Hamilton explores the key points in his new book, Making Sense of the Bible. With the help of this Leader Guide, groups learn from Hamilton as his video presentations lead groups through the book, focusing on the most important questions we ask about the Bible, its origins and meaning.

Early Genesis is like a table of contents for the rest of the book, a seed from which the rest of Scripture and history unfolds: so many ideas, images, and events can be traced back to it. Like the seeds that are so often our staple for life, Genesis also provides food for the soul, true wisdom, and the big picture we need to live in this world. But its message can be hindered by misunderstanding its purpose. Making Sense of Genesis looks at what works and what doesn't work when interpreting Genesis. It's not a commentary, so it doesn't interact with all of Genesis or much that has been written about it. Rather, it observes how the ideas and images in early Genesis unfold and are fulfilled, and how they are just as true and fresh for us now as they were in the beginning.

Many today find the Old Testament a closed book. The cultural issues seem insurmountable and we are easily baffled by that which seems obscure. Furthermore, without knowledge of the ancient culture we can easily impose our own culture on the text, potentially distorting it. This series invites you to enter the Old Testament with a company of guides, experts that will give new insights into these cherished writings. Features include • Over 2000 photographs, drawings, maps, diagrams and charts provide a visual feast that breathes fresh life into the text. • Passage-by-passage commentary presents archaeological findings, historical explanations, geographic insights, notes on manners and customs, and more. • Analysis into the literature of the ancient Near East will open your eyes to new depths of understanding both familiar and unfamiliar passages. • Written by an international team of 30 specialists, all top scholars in background studies.

When Othmar Keel's book first appeared in Germany in 1972, it was a pioneering study, the first to compare systematically the conceptual world of a biblical book with that of ancient Near Eastern iconography. First translated into English in 1978, the book has proven its lasting value for exegesis of the Psalms, the comparative study of the Bible and its world, and the study of ancient Near Eastern art and iconography.

Contents by chapter: What was Leviathan? Was Behemoth a Dinosaur? King James' Unicorns Making Sense of Isaiah's Flying Serpents Does Genesis 1:1 Describe the Absolute Beginning? Ancient Hebrew Heavenly Cosmology The Ancient Hebrew Conception of the Earth Eden: The Cosmic Mountain of God The Meaning of the Seven Days of Creation The Numerological Lifespans of the Patriarchs Animal Death Before the Fall Why the Holy Spirit isn't Your Bible Commentary How Popular Views of Inspiration Protect Readers from Their Bible False Artifacts, Hoaxes, and Misinterpretations: Young-Earth Creationism's Use of Dragon Legends Misuse of Flood Legends Cosmology and Traditional World Cultures Praise for (Mis)interpreting Genesis: "Stanhope's scholarly, multi-pronged critique...helped me to see the biblical narrative as holding far deeper, more significant meaning than what these Christian materialists seem bent on forcing the text to say. The text itself, in its ancient context, is far more interesting than what these eisegetes want to make it say." - John Holzmann, Co-Founder, Sonlight Curriculum Ltd.; Manager, Holzmann Family Enterprises LLC "Stanhope has dedicated many years to combatting the misinformation circulated by young-earth creationists in print and online. In this book, we see the fruit of his labors and a clear demonstration of his love for the Bible and dedication to understanding it in its historical and cultural context. The result is a monumental work.... The book offers a positive and remarkably thorough survey of the relevant biblical texts (both the ones young-earth creationists twist and the ones they conveniently ignore) as well as of relevant archaeological data.... In short, the book offers a compelling case for how to interpret the biblical material about creation that is more honest and more genuinely biblical in character than what one finds in the homeschooling and other literature promoted by the Creation Museum and other organizations like it. All those concerned not only about the state of science education in the United States, but also the decline in biblical literacy, owe Stanhope a debt of gratitude." - James F. McGrath, Clarence L. Goodwin Chair in New Testament Language and Literature, Butler University. Author of The Only True God: Monotheism in Early Judaism and Christianity "Stanhope relies on the most up-to-date scholarship to explain many concepts in the biblical texts that have been misunderstood by many people in today's world. This book is necessary for anyone to dive deeper into the biblical texts. I cannot recommend it enough." - Michael Jones, Founder and Director of the Inspiring Philosophy Christian research video library Ben Stanhope has served as a Garrett Fellow in the Department of Literature and Culture of Boyce College, holds a certificate in Worldview from Biola University, a B.A. from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and an M.A. in Manuskriptkulturen from the Centre for the Study of Manuscript Cultures at the German University of Hamburg, where he was educated in archaeometric techniques under Dead Sea Scroll scientists. His research thesis First Temple Hebrew Seals and Bullae Identifying Biblical Persons synthesizes archaeological and museum catalog data to present novel discoveries in the interpretation of Egyptian icons on biblical period papyrus seals. He has authored a work on first century Roman philosophy entitled, The Golden Sayings of Epictetus: In Contemporary English.

It can no longer be assumed that most people--or even most Christians--have a basic understanding of the Bible. Many don't know the difference between the Old and New Testament, and even the more well-known biblical figures are often misunderstood. It is getting harder to talk about Jesus accurately and compellingly because listeners have no proper context with which to understand God's story of redemption. In this basic introduction to faith, D. A. Carson takes seekers, new Christians, and small groups through the big story of Scripture. He helps readers to know what they believe and why they believe it. The companion leader's guide helps evangelistic study groups, small groups, and Sunday school classes make the best use of this book in group settings.

See and celebrate the multilayered grandeur conveyed by the first chapter of Genesis The first chapter of the Bible's first book lays the foundation for all that follows about who God is and what God is like. Our technology-age fascination with the science of origins, however, can blind us to issues of great importance that don't address our culturally conditioned questions. Instead, Genesis One itself suggests the questions and answers that are most significant to human faith and flourishing. Geologist Gregg Davidson and theologian Ken Turner shine a spotlight on Genesis One as theologically rich literature first and foremost, exploring the layers of meaning that showcase various aspects of God's character: Song Analogy Polemic Covenant Temple Calendar Land Our very knowledge of God suffers when we fail to appreciate the Bible's ability to convey multilayered truth simultaneously. The Manifold Beauty of Genesis One offers readers the chance to cultivate an openness to Scripture's richness and a deeper faith in the Creator.